5.13.2010

The Brooklyn Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple pattern (The Sweet Dress by Leila and Ben) and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.

To make this ruched (how in the heck do you pronouce that word???) pieced dress, cut the sleeves and dress as directed out of your main fabric.

Take the front dress piece, keeping it folded down the middle. Cut the folded portion off the front of the dress, 2.5 inches wide (5 inches when it is unfolded).

Use your cut piece as the pattern for your inserted piece. Using your coordinating fabric, cut a piece that is the same as your 'pattern', only add 1/2 inch on each side for a seam allowance.

You are also going to cut an additional piece that is twice as long as the first piece you cut. It should be six inches wide at the bottom. About half way up the strip, you will want to start cutting it narrower towards the top until it is three inches (see pic).

With your short strip, hem the bottom as the pattern directs for the bottom hem. Than take your long strip and finish the top and bottom with a rolled hem. Gather the two long sides. Baste the gathered piece to the first strip, keeping it 1.75 inches below the neckline and take it to the bottom of the hem on the short strip.

Sew the dress as directed using your main fabric. Stop before creating the neckline casing. Hem as directed. Now add the middle piece, making sure your hemlines match up at the bottom.

Finish as directed. And yes, making the neckline casing is going to be a little trickier to make in the front, but it is do-able and so worth it! I promise.